Page 2 of 2 Lunar prize sets Asian hearts racing
By Peter J Brown
Keep in mind that it costs US$30,000 just to get your foot in the door, and
this fee will increase next year.
"We have always told prospective teams that the registration fee would escalate
with time. It was $10,000 until the end of 2008, it is $30,000 now, and it will
rise to $50,000 next year, after which registration will close," said William
Pomerantz, senior director for space projects at the X PRIZE Foundation.
IDXA is taking a somewhat different approach in Malaysia as far as its funding
strategy is concerned, according to Yamin.
"It is fairly important that universities support us in this initial
stage in terms of research funding and expertise. However, our plan is to take
the next step further, by creating a series of revenue-generating companies
that will support the backbone of our research projects on GLXP," said Yamin.
IDXA's startup companies like Orbix Aerial Photography, EnviroTech, and
Hydroxyleum Technology will work in parallel to generate income along with the
technology required by IDXA. IDXA's list of advisors includes Dato' Seri
Professor Ibrahim bin Abu Shah and Vice Chancellor at the Universiti Teknologi
MARA (UiTM) in Malaysia - which is also funding IDXA. The list also includes
Datin Associate Professor Norela Nuruddin of the Malaysian Enterepreneurs
Development Centre, Dr Ow Chee Sheng of UiTM and Professor Wahyu Kontjoro in
Indonesia.
"We plan to get local Asian tech companies involved such as MEASAT Berhad in
Malaysia [a communications and multimedia satellite operator], GasHub Pte Ltd
in Singapore [a fuel cell power plant manufacturer], and BizChip Sdn Bhd in
Malaysia [a robotics and control system developer]," said Yamin. "Besides
several Asian companies, we have plans to get financial support from some
US-based companies. The 90% rule is actually making us more creative and
innovative, which is not only actually good for us, but also for society."
While IDXA is assembling its team in Malaysia, Team Synergy Moon is drawing
considerable support from 15 different countries including India and Sri Lanka.
Rameesha De Silva of the Intelligent Machines Laboratory at the University of
Moratuwa in Sri Lanka leads its robotics group, and is developing its lunar
rovers.
Work on research applications for Team Synergy Moon's rovers and its automated
moon base - including assembly and testing of components and systems - is being
managed by Sayandeep Khan in India, head of Team Synergy Moon's applications
group. He will be supported by many undergraduates and others from
organizations such as Students for the Exploration and Development of Space,
the Space Generation Congress, Team 1 India in Bangalore, and a youth program
known as the Science Popularization Association of Communicators and Educators.
California-based Interorbital Systems (IOS) will provide both the Neptune 1000
launch vehicle, and the lunar lander for Team Synergy Moon, according to Randa
Milliron, CEO of IOS.
"We intend to attempt the X PRIZE Moon launches near the end of 2012. Before
that, we will use many suborbital and orbital test flights (from both land and
ocean) to space-qualify many of the lunar rocket components, communication
systems, telemetry, guidance, hardware, software, etc, on other IOS rockets,"
said Milliron.
"We see the establishment of an effective but lean international consortium as
our main challenge right now," said Allen who emphasized that while Team WLS
has collected a strong group of participants and is working hard on great ideas
for technical approaches to the GLXP, it is still working to define the
commercial structure of the team.
"We are using only internal funds and in-kind support from our partners. As our
team name suggests, we plan to sell our mission as an advertising opportunity
for one or more major sponsors. We see the 10% government funding rule as a
fundamental aspect of the 'GLXP problem', which we like because it tends to
level the playing field and encourages international teams like ours," said
Allen.
Team WLS intends to design a system that is compatible for launch on a range of
low cost launch vehicles, which have already been proven.
"Typically launch vehicle negotiations need to begin 12 to 24 months before the
mission. We are currently targeting a launch date some time in 2012, so we have
at least one year to prove the technical capabilities of our team before we
start investing a lot of energy in the launch vehicle," said Allen.
Because China has its own lunar exploration program and the pace of this
program is very quick, Team Selene cannot count on using a Chinese launch
provider, ground station, or relay satellite etc.
"Hopefully, the Selena 1 spacecraft will ride on top of a Falcon rocket
(operated by California-based SpaceX). We have to decide this before we make
the final design of the spacecraft. In my opinion, not one of our competitors
will meet the 2012 launch target. Maybe we will see some attempts, but no one
will be really successful. I am sure that China can do it, but I am not sure if
I can wake up the dragon in so short a time," said Bindhammer.
Like Team Selene, IDXA is keeping its eye on Space-X, too, along with the
Indian Space Research Organization.
"While we might find another launch provider, the closest bet is either of
these two," said Yamin. "In terms of getting funding from potential sponsors,
although the growing list of competitors might make it more difficult, it will
be more beneficial in terms of technological expansion and sharing."
When it comes to launch vehicle providers, the various GLXP teams are free to
use a commercial launch vehicles that are the result of both government support
and subsidies - even when government-funded payloads help to reduce launch
costs. However, if a launch vehicle is donated by a government, there is no
guarantee that GLXP officials will approve its use on the basis of fairness and
sustainability.
Regardless, Team Advaeros is very optimistic and is participating in the GLXP
"to learn and have fun with a spirit of innovation and teamwork," according to
Yusof. They intend to design and develop both their own rovers and launch
options.
"At this moment, we are building prototypes for demonstration to potential
sponsors. It would prove to be a far easier path, if we went out and bought a
robotic rover and a 'ticket' to place it on the moon and perform the required
procedures outlined under the GLXP mission objectives. But where is the fun
part when everything is 'black-box' to us," said Yusof who reports that Team
Advaeros is benefiting from the input of various academicians, engineering
students, intellectuals and other highly-skilled individuals from private
research groups.
Overall, The X PRIZE Foundation is very excited to see such a strong Asian
presence in the GLXP, and it expects to see more teams from Asia enter the
contest before registration closes in 2010.
"The three recent lunar orbiters - Chandrayaan, Chang'e, and Kaguya - have
proven that both the talent and the interest required for lunar exploration run
strong in Asia, and those missions clearly show that the Asian teams in this
race are strong competitors," said Pomerantz. "Regardless of who eventually
claims the prize, both companies and space agencies in Asia will have a huge
impact on the future of space exploration - as leaders, customers, and as
innovators."
Note
1. For more information on all the GLXP teams, click
here.
2. Click here.
Peter J Brown is a satellite journalist from Maine USA. A former ESL
instructor in Southeast Asia, he edits the content on Team Selene's
English-language web site. His services are available at no cost to other GLXP
teams in Asia on a limited basis as well, and for a fee to all space agencies
in Asia.
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